Presence Detectable Baffle For Electrical Components In A Computing System

ABSTRACT

A presence detectable baffle for electrical components in a computing system, including: a passive chassis having a form factor is consistent with an electrical component of the computing system; and a presence detectable pin set connected to the passive chassis, the pin set consistent with the electrical component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of and claims priorityfrom U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/226,035, filed on Sep. 6, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is data processing, or, more specifically,methods, apparatus, and products for presence detectable baffle forelectrical components in a computing system.

2. Description of Related Art

Modern computing systems are physically configurable as such computingsystems include pluggable components that may be added to a computingsystem to expand the capabilities of the computing system. Moderncomputing systems also include computing components that generate heat.As such, cooling mechanisms such as fans and vents are included in acomputing system to cool the computing system. As pluggable devices areadded and removed from the computing system, however, the flow of airfrom the cooling mechanisms is altered and may not be carried out asoriginally designed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A presence detectable baffle for electrical components in a computingsystem, including: a passive chassis having a form factor is consistentwith an electrical component of the computing system; and a presencedetectable pin set connected to the passive chassis, the pin setconsistent with the electrical component.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generallyrepresent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 sets forth a diagram of a presence detectable baffle forelectrical components in a computing system according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram of a presence detectable baffle forelectrical components in a computing system according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 sets forth a block diagram of apparatus for receiving a presencedetectable baffle for electrical components according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an example method ofadministering computing system resources according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an example method ofadministering computing system resources according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an example method ofdirecting air flow in a computing system according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 sets forth a diagram of a presence detectable baffle (102) forelectrical components in a computing system according to embodiments ofthe present invention. In the example of FIG. 1, the presence detectablebaffle (102) is a physical structure that may be utilized to direct airflow within the computing system. Modern computing systems can includefans, vents, and other components of a cooling system designed to directthe flow of air in predetermined directions to distribute thermal loadscreated by components within the computing system. When removableelectrical components such as, for example, a peripheral componentinterconnect (‘PCI’) expansion card, a dual in-line memory module(‘DIMM’), a PCI Express (‘PCIe’) expansion card, and the like areremoved from the computing system, the flow of air within the computingsystem may be altered. For example, a cooling system in a computingsystem may be designed to generate a particular pattern of air flow whenall PCIe slots within the computing system are occupied by PCIeexpansion cards. Removing a PCIe expansion card can cause the pattern ofair flow to change as the PCIe expansion card is no longer in place toimpact the flow of air within the computing system.

In the example of FIG. 1, the presence detectable baffle (102) can beutilized to direct air flow within the computing system in the sensethat the presence detectable baffle (102) provides a physical structurethat is similar in form to a computing component that is absent from thecomputing system. For example, if a PCIe expansion card is removed fromthe computing system, a presence detectable baffle (102) that is similarin physical form to a PCIe expansion card may be inserted into the PCIeslot from which the PCIe card was removed. Inserting the presencedetectable baffle (102) therefore restores a computing system toapproximately the same physical shape that was taken into account whendesigning a cooling system to move air in a particular pattern.

The presence detectable baffle (102) of FIG. 1 includes a passivechassis (104) having a form factor that is consistent with an electricalcomponent of the computing system. A presence detectable baffle (102)that is designed to replicate the presence of a PCIe expansion card, forexample, may include a passive chassis (104) having a form factor thatis consistent with a PCIe expansion card. The passive chassis (104) ofsuch an example presence detectable baffle (102) is similar in volumeand shape to that of an actual PCIe expansion card. A passive chassis(104) of a presence detectable baffle (102) may be implemented with avariety of materials including, as one example, molded plastic.

In the example of FIG. 1, the electrical component of the computingsystem that the presence detectable baffle (102) is designed to mimic inform may be an expansion card. In the example of FIG. 1, an expansioncard is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansionslot of a computer motherboard to add functionality to a computingsystem. Such expansion cards may adhere to many different standards suchas, for example, PCIe, PCI, Accelerated Graphics Port (‘AGP’), IndustryStandard Architecture (‘ISA’), and so on.

In the example of FIG. 1, the electrical component of the computingsystem that the presence detectable baffle (102) is designed to mimic inform may be a memory module. In the example of FIG. 1, a memory moduleis computer memory that can be inserted into a memory slot of a computermotherboard to add memory to a computing system. Examples of memorymodules include a DIMM, a Rambus in-line memory module (‘RIMM’), asingle in-line memory module (‘SIMM’), and so on.

The presence detectable baffle (102) of FIG. 1 includes a presencedetectable pin set (106) connected to the passive chassis (104). In theexample of FIG. 1, the presence detectable pin set (106) is consistentwith the electrical component that the presence detectable baffle (102)is designed to mimic in shape. The presence detectable pin set (106) isconsistent with the electrical component in the sense that the presencedetectable pin set (106) may have the same physical form as the pin setof the electrical component. In this way, the presence detectable baffle(102) can be inserted into a slot configured to receive the electricalcomponent that the presence detectable baffle (102) is designed to mimicin shape and the pin set of the baffle (102) may physically connect to apin receptacle of the slot in the same manner that a pin set of theelectrical component connects to the pin receptacle of the slot.Consider an example in which the presence detectable baffle (102) isdesigned to mimic the form of a PCIe expansion card. In such an example,the presence detectable pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle(102) is similar enough in physical form to the pin set of a PCIeexpansion card so that the presence detectable baffle's (102) pin set(106) may be inserted into a pin set receptacle of a PCIe expansionslot—the same pin set receptacle that receives typical PCIe expansioncards.

In the example of FIG. 1, the presence detectable pin set (106) isconfigured to indicate that the presence detectable baffle (102) isinstalled and that the presence detectable baffle (102) is passive. Thepresence detectable pin set (106) may be configured to indicate that thepresence detectable baffle (102) is installed and that the presencedetectable baffle (102) is passive, for example, by including pins wiredin such a way so as to present a unique presence detection signal whenthe detectable baffle (102) is inserted into a slot.

In embodiments in which the presence detectable baffle (102) of FIG. 1includes a passive chassis (104) having a form factor that is consistentwith a PCIe expansion card, the baffle's (102) presence detectable pinset (106) may also be compatible with the PCIe specification to indicatethe presence of the baffle (102) in the PCIe slot. The PCIespecification defines the physical form factor of a PCIe expansion slot,the physical form factor of a PCIe expansion card, and utilization andfunctionality of each pin of a PCIe expansion card. According to thePCIe specification, interconnects between a PCIe expansion card and aPCIe expansion slot are composed of lanes. Each lane is composed of atransmit pair and receive pair of differential lines. Physical PCIeexpansion slots may contain anywhere from one to thirty-two lanes, withlane counts written with an “x” prefix (e.g., x4 represents a four-laneexpansion card or expansion slot).

The PCIe standard specifies a presence detect means to identify aninstalled adapter card for hot plug purposes. The PCIe standard includesa PRSNT1# signal line that is present on all PCIe bus width adapters.The pin in a PCIe expansion slot that represents the PRSNT1# signal lineis connected to ground on a system board that the PCIe slot is mountedon. The PCIe standard also includes PRSNT2# signal pins. There aremultiple PRSNT2# pins defined, corresponding to the bus width of theadapter. A PRSNT2# pin exists at the end of the connector for each ofthe x1, x4, x8, and x16 widths. Adapter cards that have a bus widthgreater than x1 include all of the intermediate PRSNT2# pins on theirconnector (e.g. a x16 adapter has four PRSNT2# pins: x1, x4, x8, x16).The PCIe standard requires that adapters connect the farthest PRSNT2# ontheir connector to the adapter's PRSNT1# pin. The PCIe standard statesthat all pins in a PCIe expansion slot that represent the PRSNT2# signalline are connected together to a single pull up resistor on the systemboard, such that the PRSNT2# signal line is pulled high when no PCIeexpansion card is mounted within the PCIe expansion slot.

When a PCIe expansion card is inserted into the PCIe expansion slot,however, the PRSNT2# signal line is pulled low thereby indicating that aPCIe expansion card has been inserted into the PCIe expansion slot. ThePRSNT2# signal line is pulled low because the pins of the PCIe expansioncard that represent the PRSNT1# signal line and the farthest PRSNT2#signal line are connected. Because the pins of the PCIe expansion cardthat represent the PRSNT1# signal line and the farthest PRSNT2# signalline are connected, the pin in the PCIe expansion slot that representsthe PRSNT2# signal line is now connected to ground on the system board,via the path between the PRSNT1# signal line and the farthest PRSNT2#signal line on the PCIe expansion card. In embodiments of the presentinvention, the pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle (102) andthe PRSNT2# signals on the system board (108) may be wired in such a wayso as to present a unique presence detection signal when the presencedetectable baffle (102) is inserted into a PCIe expansion slot, asexplained in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2.

For further explanation, FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram of a presencedetectable baffle (102) for electrical components in a computing systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention. In embodiments of thepresent invention, the pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle(102) and a system board (108) upon which a PCIe expansion slot (107) ismounted may be wired in such a way so as to present a unique presencedetection signal when the presence detectable baffle (102) is insertedinto a PCIe expansion slot (107). The term ‘unique’ is used here todescribe the present detection signal presented by the presencedetectable baffle (102) upon insertion into a PCIe expansion slot. Forexample, the pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle (102) maybe wired such that first PRSNT2# (112) pin, corresponding to a x1 width,and the second PRSNT2# (114) pin, corresponding to a x4 width, on thepresence detectable pin set (106) are shorted together, for example, viaa trace (113) running between the first PRSNT2# (112) pin and the secondPRSNT2# (114) pin on the presence detectable pin set (106). Also, forexample, the system board (108) may be wired such that the PRSNT2#signals from the PCIe expansion slot (107) are individually connected topull up resistors (116, 118) and the presence detect logic (122).Additional PRSNT2# signals from the PCIe expansion slot (107) for widerwidths (i.e. x8 or x16) may be combined and connected to the secondPRSNT2# signal (114) and pull up resistor (116).

In the example of FIG. 2, the presence detect logic (122) willdifferentiate between when the PCIe expansion slot (107) is empty, whena presence detectable baffle (102) is inserted in the PCIe expansionslot (107), and when a standard PCIe expansion card is inserted in thePCIe expansion slot (107). Further, due to the unique individual wiringof the PRSNT2# signals on the system board (108), the presence detectlogic (122) must differentiate between a x1 width PCIe expansion cardand a wider PCIe expansion card (e.g. x4, x8, or x16) inserted in thePCIe expansion slot (107). The presence detect logic (122) may make thisdifferentiation by momentarily placing a low signal level on the secondPRSNT2# signal (114) and detecting the signal level on the first PRSNT2#signal (112).

When nothing is inserted into the PCIe expansion slot (107), pull-upresistors (116, 118) pull the voltage high so that the presence detectlogic (122) reads a high voltage for both PRSNT2# (112, 114) signals.When the presence detect logic (122) places a momentary low voltagelevel on the second PRSNT2# signal (114), the first PRSNT2# signal (112)remains at a high voltage level since there is no connection pathbetween the two signals. Since the presence detect logic (122) reads ahigh voltage level on both PRSNT2# signals (112, 114) both at steadystate and while momentarily placing a low voltage level on the secondPRSNT2# signal (114), it determines that the PCIe expansion slot (107)is empty.

When a standard x1 width PCIe expansion card is inserted into the PCIeexpansion slot (107), a connection is made between the PRSNT1# signal(110) and the first PRSNT2# signal (112). This is because the firstPRSNT2# signal (112) is the farthest PRSNT2# pin on the x1 width PCIeexpansion card. Since the PRSNT1# signal is connected to ground on thesystem board (108), the first PRSNT2# signal (112) goes to a low voltagelevel, and the presence detect logic (122) reads it as such. Since thereis no connection on a x1 width PCIe expansion card to the second PRSNT2#signal (114), the second PRSNT2# signal (114) remains at a high voltagelevel due to the pull up resistor (116). When the presence detect logic(122) places a momentary low voltage level on the second PRSNT2# signal(114), the first PRSNT2# signal (112) remains at a low voltage level dueto the connection to ground through PRSNT1# (110) described earlier.Since the presence detect logic (122) reads a low voltage level on thefirst PRSNT2# signal (112) and a high voltage level on the secondPRSNT2# signal (114) both at steady state and while momentarily placinga low voltage level on the second PRSNT2# signal (114), it determinesthat there is a standard PCIe expansion card inserted in the PCIeexpansion slot (107).

When a wider (i.e. x4, x8, or x16) standard PCIe expansion card isinserted into the PCIe expansion slot (107), a connection is madebetween the PRSNT1# signal (110) and the second PRSNT2# signal (114).This is because the second PRSNT2# signal (114) is the farthest (or maybe combined with the farthest) PRSNT2# pin on the PCIe expansion card.Since the PRSNT1# signal is connected to ground on the system board(108), the second PRSNT2# signal (114) goes to a low voltage level, andthe presence detect logic (122) reads it as such. Since there is noconnection on a wider width PCIe expansion card to the first PRSNT2#signal (112), the first PRSNT2# signal (112) remains at a high voltagelevel due to the pull up resistor (118). When the presence detect logic(122) places a momentary low voltage level on the second PRSNT2# signal(114), the first PRSNT2# signal (112) remains at a high voltage leveldue to the lack of connection on a wider width PCIe expansion carddescribed earlier. Since the presence detect logic (122) reads a highvoltage level on the first PRSNT2# signal (112) and a low voltage levelon the second PRSNT2# signal (114) both at steady state and whilemomentarily placing a low voltage level on the second PRSNT2# signal(114), it determines that there is a standard PCIe expansion cardinserted in the PCIe expansion slot (107).

When a presence detectable baffle (102) is inserted into the PCIeexpansion slot (107), a connection is made between the first PRSNT2#signal (112) and the second PRSNT2# signal (114) due to the uniquewiring on the presence detectable pin set (106). The first PRSNT2#signal (112) and the second PRSNT2# signal (114) remain at a highvoltage level due to the pull up resistors (116,118) on the system board(108), and the presence detect logic (122) reads them as such. When thepresence detect logic (122) places a momentary low voltage level on thesecond PRSNT2# signal (114), the first PRSNT2# signal (112) transitionsto a low voltage level due to the connection between them in thepresence detectable pin set (106). Since the presence detect logic (122)reads a high voltage level on the first PRSNT2# signal (112) and thesecond PRSNT2# signal (114) at steady state, but instead reads a lowvoltage level on the first PRSNT2# signal (112) while momentarilyplacing a low voltage level on the second PRSNT2# signal (114), itdetermines that there is a presence detectable baffle (102) inserted inthe PCIe expansion slot (107).

For further explanation, FIG. 3 sets forth a block diagram of apparatus(202) for receiving a presence detectable baffle (102) for electricalcomponents according to embodiments of the present invention. Theapparatus (202) of FIG. 3 includes one or more slots (204, 206, 208) forreceiving an electrical component having a set of pins. In the exampleof FIG. 3, each slot (204, 206, 208) is configured to couple pins of theelectrical component to the apparatus (202). Each slot (204, 206, 208)of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of pins that may be wired into a circuitboard that the slot (204, 206, 208) is mounted on. Each slot (204, 206,208) is capable of receiving an electrical component such as, forexample, an expansion card. Each slot (204, 206, 208) is physicallyconfigured such that once an electrical component is inserted into theslot (204, 206, 208), an electrical connection is established betweenthe electrical component and circuit board that the slot (204, 206, 208)is mounted on via the pins in the slot (204, 206, 208). Each slot (204,206, 208) can adhere to a defined standard such as, for example, PCIe,PCI, and so on.

The apparatus (202) of FIG. 3 also includes a presence detectable baffle(102) installed in one of the slots (204, 206, 208). In the example ofFIG. 3, the presence detectable baffle (102) includes a passive chassis(104) having a form factor consistent with the electrical component. Apresence detectable baffle (102) that is designed to replicate thepresence of a PCIe expansion card, for example, may include a passivechassis (104) having a form factor that is consistent with a PCIeexpansion card. The passive chassis (104) of such an example presencedetectable baffle (102) is similar in volume and shape to that of anactual PCIe expansion card. A passive chassis (104) of a presencedetectable baffle (102) may be implemented with a variety of materialsincluding, as one example, molded plastic.

The presence detectable baffle (102) of FIG. 3 also includes a presencedetectable pin set (106) connected to the passive chassis (104). In theexample of FIG. 3, the presence detectable pin set (106) is consistentwith the electrical component that the presence detectable baffle (102)is designed to mimic in shape. The presence detectable pin set (106) isconsistent with the electrical component in the sense that the presencedetectable pin set (106) may have the same physical form as the pin setof the electrical component. In this way, the presence detectable baffle(102) can be inserted into a slot configured to receive the electricalcomponent that the presence detectable baffle (102) is designed to mimicin shape and the pin set of the baffle (102) may physically connect to apin receptacle of the slot in the same manner that a pin set of theelectrical component connects to the pin receptacle of the slot.Consider an example in which the presence detectable baffle (102) isdesigned to mimic the form of a PCIe expansion card. In such an example,the presence detectable pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle(102) is similar enough in physical form to the pin set of a PCIeexpansion card so that the presence detectable baffle's (102) pin set(106) may be inserted into a pin set receptacle of a PCIe expansionslot—the same pin set receptacle that receives typical PCIe expansioncards. In the example of FIG. 3, the presence detectable pin set (106)is coupled to the apparatus (202) through a slot (204, 206, 208).

In the example of FIG. 3, the presence detectable pin (106) set mayinclude a pin set compatible with the PCIe specification and the slots(204, 206, 208) for receiving an electrical component may be embodied asPCIe expansion slots. The PCIe specification defines the form factorthat the pin set of a PCIe expansion card must take and further defineshow each pin is utilized. The PCIe specification also defines the formfactor that PCIe expansion slot must take. According to the PCIespecification, interconnects between a PCIe expansion card and a PCIeexpansion slots are composed of lanes. Each lane is composed of atransmit pair and receive pair of differential lines. Physical PCIeexpansion slots may contain anywhere from one to thirty-two lanes, withlane counts written with an “x” prefix (e.g., x4 represents a four-laneexpansion card or expansion slot).

In the example of FIG. 3, the slots (204, 206, 208) for receiving anelectrical component having a set of pins may be memory module slots.Memory module slots may be any slot capable of receiving a memory moduleand coupling the memory module to another component of the apparatus(202) such as, for example, a motherboard. Examples of memory modulesthat may be mounted in the slots (204, 206, 208) include a DIMM, a RIMM,a SIMM, and so on.

The apparatus (202) may include many other components not illustrated inFIG. 3. The apparatus (202) may be embodied, for example, as a bladeserver, a general purpose computer, a stand-alone server, and so on. Theapparatus (202) may therefore include computer processors, computermemory, communications adapters, data communications busses, printedcircuit boards, and other components as will occur to those of skill inthe art.

FIG. 4 sets forth a block diagram of automated computing machinerycomprising an exemplary computing system (152) useful in administeringcomputing system resources, according to embodiments of the presentinvention. The computing system (152) of FIG. 4 includes at least onecomputer processor (156) or ‘CPU’ as well as random access memory (168)(‘RAM’) which is connected through a high speed memory bus (166) and busadapter (158) to processor (156) and to other components of thecomputing system (152).

Stored in RAM (168) is a system manager (402), a module of computerprogram instructions to monitor various aspects of the computing system(152) and allocate resources within the computing system (152). Thesystem manager (402) may be configured to, for example, monitortemperature within the computing system (152), monitor memory usagewithin the computing system (152), monitor processor usage within thecomputing system (152), detect error conditions within the computingsystem (152), and so on.

In the example of FIG. 4, the computing system (152) administerscomputing system resources by identifying, by the system manager (402),a presence detectable baffle (102). The system manager (402) canidentify the presence detectable baffle (102), for example, byperforming (406) one or more presence detection operations. In theexample of FIG. 4, a presence detection operation is an operationinitiated by the system manager (402) to determine whether a computingcomponent is inserted in a particular slot, such as PCIe expansion slot(180). The presence detection operation may also be configured todetermine the nature of the computing component inserted in theparticular slot. For example, the system manager (402) may initiate apresence detection operation to determine whether a computing componentis inserted in PCIe expansion slot (180). In response to the presencedetection operation, the system manager (402) may receive a presencedetection value associated with the presence detectable baffle (102),thereby indicating that the presence detectable baffle (102) is insertedin the PCIe expansion slot (180).

In the example of FIG. 4, the computing system (152) further administerscomputing system resources by managing, by the system manager (402),computing system operating attributes in dependence upon presencedetectable baffle (102) attributes. In the example of FIG. 4, computingsystem (152) operating attributes describe the current operating stateof the computing system (152). The computing system (152) operatingattributes may define, for example, how much power to allocate to aparticular resource, whether a particular resource is available for useby other computing components, and so on. In the example method of FIG.4, presence detectable baffle attributes may include attributes thatdescribe the type of device whose form the presence detectable baffle(102) is designed to mimic. For example, the presence detectable baffleattributes may indicate that the presence detectable baffle (102) isdesigned to mimic the form of a PCIe expansion card.

In the example of FIG. 4, the system manager (402) may manage computingsystem operating attributes in dependence upon presence detectablebaffle (102) attributes, for example, by altering power allocation inthe computing system (152). Consider an example in which the presencedetectable baffle (102) attributes indicate that a passive presencedetectable baffle (102) is inserted in the PCIe expansion slot (180). Insuch an example, the system manager (402) may alter power allocation inthe computing system (152) by not providing power to the PCIe expansionslot (180) that includes the passive presence detectable baffle (102)because the passive presence detectable baffle (102) is not an activecomponent that requires power.

Also stored in RAM (168) is an operating system (154). Operating systemsuseful administering computing system resources according to embodimentsof the present invention include UNIX™ Linux™ Microsoft XP™ AIX™ IBM'si5/OS™ and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. Theoperating system (154) and system manager (402) in the example of FIG. 4are shown in RAM (168), but many components of such software typicallyare stored in non-volatile memory also, such as, for example, on a diskdrive (170).

The computing system (152) of FIG. 4 includes disk drive adapter (172)coupled through expansion bus (160) and bus adapter (158) to processor(156) and other components of the computing system (152). Disk driveadapter (172) connects non-volatile data storage to the computing system(152) in the form of disk drive (170). Disk drive adapters useful incomputers for administering computing system resources according toembodiments of the present invention include Integrated DriveElectronics (‘IDE’) adapters, Small Computer System Interface (‘SCSI’)adapters, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art.Non-volatile computer memory also may be implemented for as an opticaldisk drive, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(so-called ‘EEPROM’ or ‘Flash’ memory), RAM drives, and so on, as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

The example computing system (152) of FIG. 4 includes one or moreinput/output (‘I/O’) adapters (178). I/O adapters implementuser-oriented input/output through, for example, software drivers andcomputer hardware for controlling output to display devices such ascomputer display screens, as well as user input from user input devices(181) such as keyboards and mice. The example computing system (152) ofFIG. 4 includes a video adapter (209), which is an example of an I/Oadapter specially designed for graphic output to a display device (180)such as a display screen or computer monitor. Video adapter (209) isconnected to processor (156) through a high speed video bus (164), busadapter (158), and the front side bus (162), which is also a high speedbus.

The exemplary computing system (152) of FIG. 4 includes a communicationsadapter (167) for data communications with other computers (182) and fordata communications with a data communications network (100). Such datacommunications may be carried out serially through RS-232 connections,through external buses such as a Universal Serial Bus (‘USB’), throughdata communications networks such as IP data communications networks,and in other ways as will occur to those of skill in the art.Communications adapters implement the hardware level of datacommunications through which one computer sends data communications toanother computer, directly or through a data communications network.Examples of communications adapters useful for administering computingsystem resources according to embodiments of the present inventioninclude modems for wired dial-up communications, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)adapters for wired data communications network communications, and802.11 adapters for wireless data communications network communications.

For further explanation, FIG. 5 sets forth a flow chart illustrating anexample method of administering computing system resources within acomputing system (152) according to embodiments of the presentinvention. The computing system (152) of FIG. 5 includes at least oneslot (204) adapted to receive an electrical component having a set ofpins. The slot (204) of FIG. 5 is configured to couple pins of theelectrical component to the computing system (152). The slot (204) ofFIG. 5 may include a plurality of pins that are wired into a circuitboard or other component of the computing system (152) that the slot(204) is mounted on. In the example method of FIG. 5, the slot (204) iscapable of receiving an electrical component such as, for example, anexpansion card, a memory module, and so on. The slot (204) is physicallyconfigured such that once an electrical component is inserted into theslot (204), an electrical connection is established between theelectrical component and the computing system (152). The slot (204) canadhere to a defined standard such as, for example, PCIe, PCI, and so on.

In the example method of FIG. 5, a presence detectable baffle (102) isinstalled within the slot (204). In the example of FIG. 5, the presencedetectable baffle (102) includes a passive chassis (104) having a formfactor consistent with the electrical component. A presence detectablebaffle (102) that is designed to replicate the presence of a PCIeexpansion card, for example, may include a passive chassis (104) havinga form factor that is consistent with a PCIe expansion card. The passivechassis (104) of such an example presence detectable baffle (102) issimilar in volume and shape to that of an actual PCIe expansion card. Apassive chassis (104) of a presence detectable baffle (102) may beimplemented with a variety of materials including, as one example,molded plastic.

The presence detectable baffle (102) also includes a presence detectablepin set (106) connected to the passive chassis (104). In the example ofFIG. 5, the presence detectable pin set (106) is consistent with theelectrical component that the presence detectable baffle (102) isdesigned to mimic in shape. The presence detectable pin set (106) isconsistent with the electrical component in the sense that the presencedetectable pin set (106) may have the same physical form as the pin setof the electrical component. In this way, the presence detectable baffle(102) can be inserted into a slot configured to receive the electricalcomponent that the presence detectable baffle (102) is designed to mimicin shape and the pin set of the baffle (102) may physically connect to apin receptacle of the slot in the same manner that a pin set of theelectrical component connects to the pin receptacle of the slot.Consider an example in which the presence detectable baffle (102) isdesigned to mimic the form of a PCIe expansion card. In such an example,the presence detectable pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle(102) is similar enough in physical form to the pin set of a PCIeexpansion card so that the presence detectable baffle's (102) pin set(106) may be inserted into a pin set receptacle of a PCIe expansionslot—the same pin set receptacle that receives typical PCIe expansioncards. In the example of FIG. 5, the presence detectable pin set (106)is coupled to the apparatus (202) through a slot (204, 206, 208).

The example method of FIG. 5 includes identifying (404), by a systemmanager (402), the presence detectable baffle (102). In the examplemethod of FIG. 5, the system manager (402) may be embodied as a moduleof computer program instructions that, when executed, monitor variousaspects of the computing system (152) and allocates resources within thecomputing system (152). The system manager (402) may be configured to,for example, monitor temperature within the computing system (152),monitor memory usage within the computing system (152), monitorprocessor usage within the computing system (152), detect errorconditions within the computing system (152), and so on.

In the example method of FIG. 5, identifying (404) the presencedetectable baffle (102) can include performing (406) one or morepresence detection operations. In the example method of FIG. 5, apresence detection operation is an operation initiated by the systemmanager (402) to determine whether a computing component is inserted ina particular slot (204). The presence detection operation may also beconfigured to return a device type value that is used to determine thenature of the computing component inserted in the particular slot (204).The presence detection operations may be embodied, for example, as amodule of computer program instructions that read voltage values ofpredetermined pins of the slot (204).

In the example method of FIG. 5, identifying (404) the presencedetectable baffle (102) can also include receiving (408) a presencedetection value associated with the presence detectable baffle (102). Inthe example of FIG. 5, the presence detection value associated with thepresence detectable baffle (102) may be embodied, for example, asvoltage levels across particular pins of the slot (402), as a binaryvalue derived from reading voltage levels from multiple pins of the slot(402), and so on. The presence detection value may be used to identifythe device that is inserted in the slot (402), for example, by lookingup the presence detection value in a table that associates particulardevices with particular values.

The example method of FIG. 5 also includes managing (416), by the systemmanager (402), computing system (152) operating attributes in dependenceupon presence detectable baffle attributes (410). In the example of FIG.5, computing system (152) operating attributes describe the currentoperating state of the computing system (152). The computing system(152) operating attributes may define, for example, how much power toallocate to a particular resource, whether a particular resource isavailable for use by other computing components, and so on. In theexample method of FIG. 5, presence detectable baffle attributes (410)may include attributes that describe the type of device that is normallyinstalled in the slot (204) that contains the presence detectable baffle(102). For example, the presence detectable baffle attributes (410) mayidentify a device type (412) for the presence detectable baffle (102).The device type (412) may indicate that the presence detectable baffle(102) is, for example, a dummy PCIe expansion card, a dummy DIMM, adummy PCI expansion card, and so on. The presence detectable baffleattributes (410) may further identify a slot location (414) for thepresence detectable baffle (102). As such, the system manger (402) maydetermine the type of device that is installed in the slot (204) bylooking up the slot location (414) in a lookup table that associates aparticular slot (204) with the types of devices that can be insertedinto the slot (204). For example, the system manger (402) may determinethat the slot (204) is a PCIe slot, a PCI slot, a slot for housing aDIMM, and so on.

In the example method of FIG. 5, managing (416) computing systemoperating attributes in dependence upon presence detectable baffleattributes (410) can include altering (418) power allocation in thecomputing system (152). Consider an example in which the presencedetectable baffle attributes (410) indicate that a passive presencedetectable baffle (102) is inserted in a slot for a PCIe expansion card.In such an example, the system manager (402) may alter (418) powerallocation in the computing system (152) by not providing power to theslot that includes the passive presence detectable baffle (102), becausethe passive presence detectable baffle (102) is not an active componentthat requires power, such as an active PCIe expansion card that wouldotherwise be installed in the slot.

In the example method of FIG. 5, managing (416) computing system (152)operating attributes in dependence upon presence detectable baffleattributes (410) can also include altering (420) memory allocation inthe computing system (152). Consider an example in which the presencedetectable baffle attributes (410) indicate that a passive presencedetectable baffle (102) is inserted into a slot configured to receive aDIMM. In such an example, the system manager (402) may alter (420)memory allocation in the computing system (152) by removing devicesinstalled in the slot that includes the passive presence detectablebaffle (102) from a pool of memory that is available to applicationsexecuting on the computing system (152) because the passive presencedetectable baffle (102) is not a computer memory device, such as a DIMMthat would otherwise be installed in the slot.

The example method of FIG. 5 also includes sending (422), by the systemmanager (420), a notification message to a system administrator uponrequest. The system administrator may periodically request anotification messages to maintain an understanding of the current stateof the computing system (152). In the example of FIG. 5, thenotification message can include, for example, information indicatingthat a presence detectable baffle (102) is installed in the computingsystem (152), information identifying the particular slot that thepresence detectable baffle (102) is installed in, informationidentifying the type of computing device that is normally installed inthe particular slot that the presence detectable baffle (102) isinstalled in, and so on. The notification message may also indicate, forexample, that a slot is completely empty and therefore a threat ofelevated thermal conditions is present given that air flow may bealtered.

The example method of FIG. 5 also includes maintaining (424) a record ofinstalled presence detectable baffles. In the example method of FIG. 5,maintaining (424) a record of installed presence detectable baffles caninclude storing, for each installed presence detectable baffle, a slotidentifier of the slot in which the presence detectable baffle isinstalled. Storing, for each installed presence detectable baffle, aslot identifier of the slot in which the presence detectable baffle isinstalled may be carried out, for example, by creating a table or otherdata structure that associates a slot identifier with a presencedetectable baffle that is installed in the slot identified by the slotidentifier.

For further explanation, FIG. 6 sets forth a flow chart illustrating anexample method of directing air flow in a computing system (152)according to embodiments of the present invention. The computing system(152) of FIG. 6 includes a slot (204) for receiving an electricalcomponent having a set of pins. The slot (204) of FIG. 6 can include aplurality of pins that may be wired into a circuit board that the slot(204) is mounted on. The slot (204) of FIG. 6 may be capable ofreceiving an electrical component such as, for example, an expansioncard. The slot (204) is physically configured such that once anelectrical component is inserted into the slot (204), an electricalconnection is established between the electrical component and circuitboard that the slot (204) is mounted on via the pins in the slot (204).In the example of FIG. 6, the slot (204) can adhere to a definedstandard such as, for example, PCIe, PCI, and so on.

The example method of FIG. 6 includes passing (502) signalinginformation through a presence detectable baffle (102) that has beeninserted into the slot (204). In the example of FIG. 6, the presencedetectable baffle (102) includes a passive chassis (104) having a formfactor consistent with an electrical component such as, for example, aPCIe expansion card, a DIMM, and so on. A presence detectable baffle(102) that is designed to replicate the presence of a PCIe expansioncard, for example, may include a passive chassis (104) having a formfactor that is consistent with a PCIe expansion card. The passivechassis (104) of such an example presence detectable baffle (102) issimilar in volume and shape to that of an actual PCIe expansion card. Apassive chassis (104) of a presence detectable baffle (102) may beimplemented with a variety of materials including, as one example,molded plastic.

The presence detectable baffle (102) of FIG. 6 also includes a presencedetectable pin set (106) connected to the passive chassis (104). In theexample of FIG. 6, the presence detectable pin set (106) is consistentwith the electrical component that the presence detectable baffle (102)is designed to mimic in shape. The presence detectable pin set (106) isconsistent with the electrical component in the sense that the presencedetectable pin set (106) may have the same physical form as the pin setof the electrical component. In this way, the presence detectable baffle(102) can be inserted into a slot configured to receive the electricalcomponent that the presence detectable baffle (102) is designed to mimicin shape and the pin set of the baffle (102) may physically connect to apin receptacle of the slot in the same manner that a pin set of theelectrical component connects to the pin receptacle of the slot.Consider an example in which the presence detectable baffle (102) isdesigned to mimic the form of a PCIe expansion card. In such an example,the presence detectable pin set (106) of the presence detectable baffle(102) is similar enough in physical form to the pin set of a PCIeexpansion card so that the presence detectable baffle's (102) pin set(106) may be inserted into a pin set receptacle of a PCIe expansionslot—the same pin set receptacle that receives typical PCIe expansioncards. In the example of FIG. 6, the presence detectable pin set (106)is coupled to the apparatus (202) through a slot (204).

In the example of FIG. 6, passing (502) signaling information through apresence detectable baffle (102) that has been inserted into the slot(204) may be carried out, for example, by passing (504) a predeterminedvoltage value over predetermined pins of the presence detectable pin set(106). For example, a low voltage may be placed on the two PRSNT2#signal lines as described above with reference to FIG. 2 todifferentiate the presence detectable baffle (102) from an empty slot oran active expansion card.

The example method of FIG. 6 also includes causing (506), by thepresence detectable baffle (102), air flow to be directed through thecomputing system (152). In the example of FIG. 6, the presencedetectable baffle (102) causes (506) air flow to be directed through thecomputing system (152) in a manner that is consistent with air flowthrough the computing system (152) when the electrical component isinserted in the slot (204). Consider an example in which the presencedetectable baffle (102) is designed to mimic the form of a PCIeexpansion card. In such an example, because the physical form of thepresence detectable baffle (102) is similar to the form of a PCIeexpansion card, air flows through the computing system (152) in asimilar manner as it would if an actual PCIe expansion card wereinserted in the slot (204). Insertion of the presence detectable baffle(102) into a slot (204) that would otherwise be occupied by a fullyfunctional computing component can therefore cause air to flow throughthe computing system (152) as if a fully functional computing componentwas inserted in the slot (204).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that modificationsand changes may be made in various embodiments of the present inventionwithout departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in thisspecification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to beconstrued in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention islimited only by the language of the following claims.

1. A method of directing air flow in a computing system, the computingsystem including a slot for receiving an electrical component having aset of pins, the method comprising: passing signaling informationthrough a presence detectable baffle that has been inserted into theslot, wherein the presence detectable baffle includes a passive chassishaving a form factor consistent with an electrical component and apresence detectable pin set that is consistent with the electricalcomponent; and causing, by the presence detectable baffle, air flow tobe directed through the computing system in a manner consistent with airflow through the computing system when the electrical component isinserted in the slot.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the presencedetectable baffle includes a pin set compatible with the peripheralcomponent interconnect express (‘PCIe’) specification.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the slot is a peripheral component interconnect express(‘PCIe’) expansion slot.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the electricalcomponent of the computing system is an expansion card.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the electrical component of the computing system is amemory module.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein passing signalinginformation through the presence detectable baffle includes passing apredetermined voltage value over predetermined pins of the presencedetectable pin set. 7-15. (canceled)